It’s been one hell of a year for Lupita Nyong’o. The Hollywood newcomer already has an Oscar win under her belt and a Lancôme endorsement deal and recently signed with CAA, one of the top talent agencies in Hollywood. The accolades keep rolling in. Now People magazine has named the Kenyan beauty its Most Beautiful Woman of 2014:

In an interview with People, Nyong’o says she grew up thinking “light skin and flowing, straight hair” made women desirable, but her mother “always said I was beautiful. And I finally believed her at some point.” Nyong’o says she’s excited about the honor because of “all the girls who would see me … and feel a little more seen.”

Fans of Nyong’o couldn’t be more pleased about the recognition from People:

It’s perfectly clear that 2014 is the year of Lupita!

Yesha Callahan is editor of The Grapevine and a staff writer at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.